At JCC Chicago, we are focused on growing good kids, building communities, and educating ourselves on the past to make a difference for the future. The largest JCC in North America, JCC Chicago offers a life-affirming journey that builds on the richness and power of Jewish values and continues to reimagine them for a more connected, inspired community.
JCC Chicago is seeking an experienced, visionary Senior Director of Early Childhood Education to oversee the agency’s seven early childhood centers across the Chicagoland area. These centers are as diverse as our littlest learners, encompassing full and half day programs in urban or suburban locations, with a mix of union and non-union educators as well as Jewish and non-Jewish community members. An effective and inspiring teacher of teachers, this individual will need to have a deep passion for the work and be an even-keeled leader who believes in innovation, inclusion, and community. The Senior Director will also need to have strong critical thinking skills, sharp business acumen, and the ability to model and analyze data in all forms. We are looking for someone with a profound commitment to Jewish early childhood education, Jewish community, and JCC Chicago’s values.
JCC Chicago is an equal opportunity agency that offers career opportunities, internships, and volunteer roles for all. We are guided by Jewish values – Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World), Kavod HaBriyot (Respect for All Human Beings), Gemilut Chasadim (Acts of Lovingkindness), Learning, and Innovation. Join us as we build community, support individuals and families, and grow hope through Jewish connections for everyone.
Key areas of responsibility:
Key areas of focus in the first three years include:
- Community
- Relationships and team building with Directors and center leadership.
- Department and center-level mastery (staff, budget, strengths/opportunities, etc.).
- Create cross-agency partnerships and collaborate with Social Services team, Apachi Day Camp Directors, and Community Engagement teams to ensure cross promotion of programming.
- Demonstrate expertise of the Sheva framework and current level(s) of implementation.
- Connection and assumption of primary agency representation with JUF Early Childhood Collaborative, JCCA Sheva Center, etc.
- Work closely with Finance and Marketing teams to ensure that Early Childhood programs are on track.
- Supervision
- Direct supervision of 7 early childhood directors.
- Oversee implementation of standard operating procedures
- Oversee and execute professional development budget, and review/implement professional development for both teachers and center leadership.
- Oversee indicators of excellence and ensure program is outstanding (care/education, home-school connection/documentation, communication, etc.).
- Partner with Chief HR Officer and Human Resources team to ensure compliance with union contract and that staff management best practices are implemented.
- Oversee and administer Director in Training Program.
- Maintain and encourage leads and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
- Lead monthly Early Childhood Directors meetings with key partners.
- Strategy
- Research early childhood programmatic and financial models within/beyond the Jewish early childhood network, and within/beyond the United States.
- Apply a creative, innovative lens to key challenges; explore resolution through unconventional partnerships, business models, revenue streams, etc.
- Evaluate success and challenges of strategic operating procedures; develop collaborative process for review and adjustment.
- Draft 5-year map for all 7 centers, considering known and potential challenges and opportunities.
- Develop strategic business plans and proposals for new initiatives, projects, pilot programs.
- Strategically drive enrollment at all 7 centers.
- Advocacy
- Serve as a primary representative for JCC Chicago Jewish Early Childhood to advance issues critical to the field.
- Budget
- Accountability for division (primary) and Agency (secondary) financial results.
- Has an in-depth understanding of Agency-wide financials and corresponding impacts.
- Overall accountability for financial results of the Early Childhood division
- Other duties as assigned
Key Essential Job Duties/Physical Duties:
- Lift/move children up to 40 lbs.
- Demonstrate physical stamina and agility required to be mobile for long periods throughout the day.
- Ability to operate equipment such as phone, computer keyboard, calculator and standard office equipment.
- Repetitive movement of arms and hands to operate computer, keyboard and mouse.
- Vision: must be able to distinguish between colors, shades and brightness with ability to focus.
- Move from sitting (chair and floor) to standing position easily and quickly.
- Stand for long periods of time and be able to run and actively engage physically with children.
- React with physical and mental alertness in emergency situations.
- Use hands for grasping classroom equipment and play material.
- Supervise children by sight and sound.
- Diaper children in accordance with DCFS requirements.
Days/Hours/%Travel:
Full time with extensive travel throughout JCC Chicagoland Early Childhood locations. Standard expectation will be to be at each location at least twice per month; however, business needs may dictate otherwise.
Education Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education or related field.
- Minimum of 18 hours in college-level Early Childhood Education course work.
- Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education strongly preferred.
Other Requirements:
- 10 or more years of progressive Early Childhood (EC) experience, with a minimum of 5 years at the Director-level.
- Knowledge of Reggio Emilia philosophy is preferred.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Jewish culture and values with previous Jewish programming experience.
- Experience leading multiple EC centers across diverse communities.
- Previous experience with DCFS requirements and accreditation process.
- Proven experience leading change management.
- Proven strategy in identifying, developing, and retaining talent.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain budgets.
- Be flexible, adaptable, and able to work collaboratively with all of Early Childhood staff and agency-wide staff, parents/families, and community members.
- Have a proven ability to model best practices with staff and families.
- Outstanding customer service skills with a clear passion for children and families.
- Highly organized and detail-oriented with proven ability for follow up and follow through.
- Strong business acumen, exceptional verbal and written communication skills, excellent conflict management skills, outstanding active listening skills, and highly developed decision-making abilities.
- Ability to provide resources, support, and recognition to staff.
- Demonstrated creativity and flexibility.
- Self-starter and visionary leader.
- Demonstrated intermediate level proficiency in MS Word and Excel, with the ability to learn other technology as needed.
- Reliable vehicle and/or transportation for in-person presence at all 7 EC locations and off-site work.